Homeless man arraigned in Rutland homicide case

EAST BROOKFIELD — A homeless man who was found with an SUV that belonged to a Rutland homicide victim was ordered held on $25,000 bail Monday in Western Worcester District Court.

Amador Roman, 35, whose address also was listed in court records as 2 Joanna Drive, Rutland, was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, receiving stolen property valued at more than $250 and intimidation of a witness.

Prosecutor Jeffrey Travers said during the arraignment that Mr. Roman has a history of violence and substance abuse problems. He had been staying with the homicide victim, Diane Lamarche-Leader, 53, at the Joanna Drive home, Mr. Travers said, adding that Ms. Lamarche-Leader was a nurse who "provided assistance to people who had substance abuse problems."

Mr. Travers argued for a high bail, $50,000 cash, saying Mr. Roman is a flight risk because he is homeless and has a lengthy criminal record dating back to when he was 14 years old. He said Mr. Roman lied to police investigating Ms. Lamarche-Leader's death after a fire at her home, telling them he hadn't lived there and then changing his story.

Mr. Roman's lawyer, John Roemer, said Judge Timothy M. Bibaud should set a reasonable bail without prejudice.

Dressed in a white jumpsuit, Mr. Roman, sporting a dark goatee, said nothing during the arraignment.

After the Friday morning fire in Rutland, police had issued a request for area police to be on the lookout for the SUV owned by Craig Leader, Ms. Lamarche-Leader's ex-husband. Mr. Travers said Mr. Leader had granted exclusive use of that vehicle to Ms. Lamarche-Leader.

Officials have not said how Ms. Lamarche-Leader died and documents detailing what they found when they searched areas they believe are related to the case against Mr. Roman were impounded. A police statement outlining why officers had probable cause to arrest Mr. Roman for the three charges was also sealed by the court.

According to records in Worcester Probate and Family Court, Diane Lamarche-Leader and Craig Leader, 50, were married in 1993 and have two children together. Mr. Leader filed for divorce in 2011, and it became final in February of this year.

State police from Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.'s office, along with Rutland police, are continuing the investigation into the death, which was ruled a homicide, and the fire, which was ruled suspicious Friday.

Mr. Roman has a history of violence and is no stranger to the courts. Court records on file in Central District Court in Worcester show that in April Mr. Roman, then of 66 Suffolk St., Worcester, was sentenced to six months in jail for stabbing a man on Winslow Street.

Mr. Roman received 61 days' credit for time served after pleading guilty to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on June 18. A charge of assault with intent to murder was dismissed. Worcester County Jail and House of Correction records show he was released Sept. 13.

Worcester police said the victim, a 29-year-old Worcester man, and Mr. Roman were fighting near a house party. Sometime during the fight, Mr. Roman stabbed the victim in the upper chest area and ran off.

Judge Bibaud set bail for Mr. Roman at $25,000. He is due back in court Jan. 8.

Scott Croteau of the Telegram & Gazette staff contributed to this report.